Zahid: 10A Bumiputera SPM students guaranteed places in UniKL and UPTM
KUANTAN, May 24 — Bumiputera students who obtain 10As and above in the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination are guaranteed places in two institutions under Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA), said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
He said MARA had also agreed to offer full scholarships to outstanding students who were pursuing their studies at Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) and Universiti Poly-Tech Malaysia (UPTM).
'But I also want to give an opportunity to students who obtained 5A to 10A to be given a place at the university,' he said in his speech before launching the 2025 National Level MARA Education Foundation (YPM) Squad at the Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Silver Jubilee Hall here today.
Also present were Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail and MARA chairman Datuk Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki.
The YPM Squad was mobilised as a platform to expand access to quality education to rural and B40 students, while also fostering the values of leadership, volunteerism, entrepreneurship and unity among the younger generation.
Ahmad Zahid, who is also the Minister of Rural and Regional Development, also advised students who are less outstanding in academics to continue their studies in the field of Technical Education and Training and Vocational (TVET) in 1,398 institutions nationwide.
'Although applications for admission to TVET institutions for the July session only opened on April 15, I am very grateful that the number of applications has jumped to 126,000,' said Ahmad Zahid who is also the chairman of the National TVET Council.
Meanwhile, Ahmad Zahid said he would be requesting an allocation of more than RM4 billion for MARA's expenses in next year's budget to be presented this October.
He said the allocation was, among other things, to empower the nation's agenda, including to carry out various educational programmes that benefit the young.
Meanwhile, Wan Rosdy said the state government was strengthening its commitment to producing young leaders through the Pahang Lead Programme by approving an allocation of RM2 million for its implementation this year.
He said the programme, which was first introduced in 2024, was a strategic initiative of the Pahang Foundation and the Pahang Education Department, involving more than 261,000 secondary school students throughout the state.
The Pahang state government also channelled RM500,000 for supports education initiatives under YPM. — Bernama
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Malay Mail
30 minutes ago
- Malay Mail
Analysts: Cautious week ahead for ringgit as markets eye Trump's war call
KUALA LUMPUR, June 21 — The ringgit is expected to stay defensive within a tight range next week, as traders and investors will continue to observe the military conflict in the Middle East, said an analyst. Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd chief economist Dr Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid said that the Israel-Iran war continues to take centre stage as the United States is still weighing its options to participate in the conflict. 'White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt indicated that President Donald Trump will make his decision whether or not to go within the next two weeks. The US Dollar Index (DXY) fell 0.22 per cent to 98.691 points. 'Apart from that, Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) inflation data for May 2025 will also be released next week. On that note, ringgit could stay within a range of RM4.24 to RM4.25 next week,' he told Bernama. For the week just ended, the ringgit gave up its earlier gains at the beginning of the week as escalating geopolitical concerns spurred demand for the safe-haven US dollar. However, the market showed a slight sign of recovery at the end of the week, as some investors took the opportunity to return to emerging currencies due to the latest White House announcement regarding the ongoing Iran-Israel war. The ringgit ended the week easier against the greenback, closing at 4.2505/2565 on Friday from 4.2435/2480 a week earlier. The local note traded mostly higher against a basket of major currencies. The ringgit rose vis-à-vis the Japanese yen to 2.9245/9289 from 2.9448/9482 at Friday's close, went up against the British pound to 5.7356/7437 from 5.7482/7543 previously, but depreciated versus the euro to 4.9000/9069 from 4.8906/8958 at the end of last week. The ringgit traded mostly higher against Asean currencies. The local note declined against the Singapore dollar to 3.3088/3140 on Friday from 3.3077/3118 in the previous week, advanced versus the Indonesian rupiah to 259.2/259.7 from 260.2/260.6 previously, and strengthened versus the Thai baht to 12.9727/9969 from 13.0807/1018 last week. Meanwhile, the ringgit also rose against the Philippine peso at 7.43/7.45 compared to 7.55/7.56 previously. — Bernama
Malay Mail
31 minutes ago
- Malay Mail
Stagflation fears, US data to shape Bursa sentiment next week, say analysts
KUALA LUMPUR, June 21 — Bursa Malaysia is expected to remain cautious next week, tracking Wall Street's performance as markets digest signals from the United States (US) Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC), said an analyst. UOB Kay Hian Wealth Advisors Sdn Bhd's head of investment research Mohd Sedek Jantan noted that the US Federal Reserve's (Fed) projections, characterised by slower growth, elevated inflation, and a higher unemployment trajectory for 2025–2027—suggest a stagflationary undertone, which could weigh on risk sentiment. 'Growth-sensitive sectors may face headwinds as the policy outlook remains uncertain. The split in the FOMC's dot plot, with members divided between no interest rates cuts and two cuts by year-end, implies limited near-term easing and reduces the likelihood of a July cut,' he told Bernama. Mohd Sedek also pointed out that the benchmark index is hovering near the psychological threshold of 1,500 points, adding that a breach of this level could trigger opportunistic buying by institutional investors, especially as the index nears its immediate support at 1,490 points. 'While the FOMC's guidance has introduced caution, markets may find support at lower levels, where valuations become more compelling. Geopolitical-driven volatility is often short-lived, and we expect a moderation in risk sentiment as these concerns subside,' he said. Meanwhile, Rakuten Trade Sdn Bhd equity research vice-president Thong Pak Leng market focus next week will shift to several key economic indicators, including the US quarterly gross domestic product and jobless claims. 'The FBM KLCI is currently priced at about 12 times the calendar year 2025 price-to-earnings ratio, notably below its long-term average of over 16 times, indicating potential for further appreciation. 'The subdued valuation may attract bargain hunters. For the week ahead, we expect the index to trade within the 1,500–1,530 points range,' Thong added. For the week just ended, Bursa Malaysia was mostly subdued as investors stayed on the sidelines due to ongoing concerns over the Middle East conflict and the anticipated implementation of reciprocal tariffs by US President Donald Trump. On a Friday-to-Friday basis, the barometer index dropped 15.37 points to 1,502.74 from 1,518.11 a week earlier. The FBM Emas Index fell 141.109 points to 11,228.99, the FBMT 100 Index was down 128.59 points to 11,015.45, and the FBM Emas Shariah Index declined 128.19 points to 11,201.34. The FBM 70 Index decreased 250.96 points to 16,117.75 and the FBM ACE Index shrank 86.34 points to 4,400.85. Across sectors, the Industrial Products and Services Index eased by 4.08 points to 147.27 and the Energy Index was 5.05 points lower at 735.71. The Plantation Index slid 0.40 of-a-point to 7,220.52, the Healthcare Index dipped 85.83 points to 1,691.89, and the Financial Services Index tumbled 179.87 points to 17,468.38. Turnover dropped to 13.72 billion units worth RM10.84 billion from 13.89 billion units valued at RM10.61 billion in the preceding week. The Main Market volume fell to 6.29 billion units valued at RM9.63 billion against 6.42 billion units worth RM9.47 billion previously. Warrants turnover expanded to 6.16 billion units worth RM845.61 million versus 5.97 billion units valued at RM687.92 million a week ago. The ACE Market volume slipped to 1.25 billion units valued at RM361.21 million compared with 1.50 billion units worth RM458.75 million in the preceding week. — Bernama
New Straits Times
33 minutes ago
- New Straits Times
20 new classrooms for Sungai Buloh schools to address overcrowding
PETALING JAYA: Twenty additional classrooms will be built in several schools across the Sungai Buloh parliamentary constituency. Deputy Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan said the move was necessary to accommodate the growing number of students, particularly in densely populated areas. "This initiative involves primary and secondary schools that have recorded more students than their maximum capacity. "Among the schools receiving new classrooms are SMK Saujana Utama(4), SMK Bandar Baru Sungai Buloh (5), and SMK Sierramas (4). "SMK Bukit Gading will receive three extra classrooms, while SK Seksyen 6 Damansara will get one. "Four classrooms will be added at SK Seri Pristina, where student density is particularly high," he told reporters after officiating the Sungai Buloh 2024 Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) Excellent Student Incentive Ceremony at the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) Hall here today. Ramanan, who is also the Sungai Buloh member of Parliament, said the project is in the tender process and declined to disclose the cost to avoid disrupting procedures. At the event, Ramanan announced Yayasan Bank Rakyat (YBR), in collaboration with his ministry, had allocated RM143,200 for 311 SPM high-achieving SPM school leavers in Sungai Buloh. "This initiative is part of YBR's ongoing efforts to support national educational development, particularly in appreciating the achievements of outstanding students and motivating them to continue excelling in the future. "The recipients are students who obtained between 7As and 11As. This recognition serves as a catalyst to reaffirm that education is the key to transforming lives," he said. "Credit must also be given to the parents and teachers who are the backbone of these achievements.
